2024 winner: Smyths
During the London Toy Fair at the end of January each year, the toy trade celebrates the previous year’s achievements at a glittering awards ceremony and dinner attended by manufacturers, suppliers and retailers.
The Toy Retailers Association makes a series of category awards to the suppliers for the best performing toys, which culminates in the prestigious Toy of The Year award. The British Toy and Hobby Association which organises the event, returns the compliments by presenting awards to the best toy retailers.
The application process allows self-nomination although additional nominations are taken from a panel of nationwide industry experts. Retailers are judged on a variety of factors such as eye-catching window displays, presentation of stock, depth of ranges and knowledge of staff.
An important factor is that the store must ooze a child-friendly atmosphere. This includes everything from play areas to the ability of customers to easily wheel prams and pushchairs around the shop.
